Pennsylvania Hospital — 1751
Pennsylvania Hospital — the nation's first — was founded in 1751 by Benjamin Franklin and Dr. Thomas Bond.
Combined Degree and Physician Scholar Programs
MD/Master of Public Health
Overview
Penn's MD/Master of Public Health (MD/MPH) program is designed for students interested in studying medicine with a special focus on population health problems. The goal of the program is to provide strong interdisciplinary training to individuals interested in clinical practice, prevention, hygiene, education and policy making. The information on this website describes the admissions process, curriculum, advising, and tuition policy for the MD/MPH program.
Please note that these guidelines apply only to medical students at the University of Pennsylvania. If you are a medical student at another institution, you may apply for the MPH program directly, but the admissions, curriculum and financial information listed here will not apply. Medical students from other institutions will typically need two years of full time study to complete the MPH program, and will be asked to provide verification that their Medical School has granted a two year leave of absence to complete the program.
The rest of this site includes the following sections:
- Information Gathering
- Advising
- Curriculum & Program Structure
- Financial Information
- Admissions
- Contacts
Information Gathering
The first step of the process is to gather information regarding the MD/MPH dual degree. Interested students have several resources:
- MPH website (http://www.publichealth.med.upenn.edu) - the Master of Public Health program website provides detailed information on the program and application process.
- Center for Public Health Initiatives website (http://www.cphi.upenn.edu/index.shtml) - this website provides information on the Center, including free seminar series that medical students are welcome to attend.
- MD/MPH Information Session - every fall the Combined Degree office holds an MD/MPH Information Session for medical students. Email announcements are sent out to students prior to the event. Check out the Powerpoint presentation that was given at our 2009 Information Session.
- Jackie McLaughlin - candidates are encouraged to contact Jackie, Associate Director MPH Program, at jmclaugh@mail.med.upenn.edu to discuss the Master of Public Health program.
- Amy Nothelfer - students are encouraged to contact Amy, Coordinator of MD-Masters Programs, at nothelfe@mail.med.upenn.edu to discuss their interest in a Masters program.
- SOM Office of Admissions and Financial Aid - As soon as a student is considering the pursuit of an integrated dual degree program, financial aid counseling and planning is strongly advised.
Students interested in the MPH program are encouraged to take PUBH 500 Introduction to Public Health or PUBH 519 Introduction to Global Health in the Fall of their first or second year of medical school. Students will need to take the course with a grade (i.e. not pass/fail) for it to count toward the MD/MPH.
Advising
Medical students who are interested in applying for the MD/MPH program are encouraged to contact Jackie McLaughlin the MPH Associate Director. She can refer you to members of the MD/MPH Advisory Committee, such as Giang Nguyen, MD, MPH (Chair, MD/MPH Advisory Committee) who are available to provide the following: 1) career guidance to students who are interested in public health issues but are undecided about the MPH program and 2) advice and counseling to students enrolled in the program.
Once a student is accepted into the program, the student will meet with the Associate Director, Jackie McLaughlin, to develop a curriculum plan. Additional student advising will be given by members of the MD/MPH committee who are available to provide career guidance, advice and counseling to students.
After a curriculum plan is developed, the student must meet with Helene Weinberg in the Registrar’s Office of the Medical School to discuss the plan and seek approval from the Medical School.
Students are strongly encouraged to meet with a staff member in the SOM Office of Admissions and Financial Aid to discuss financial issues. (See tuition policy below.)
Curriculum & Program Structure
Program Requirements:
The following course units are required for the MPH degree :
- 10 required core course units (includes 2 cus for Capstone seminar and 1 MD curriculum transfer credit)
- 4 Electives
Required Course Units: 14
Tracks:
See below for sample study plans for each.
Medical students interested in public health and the global health certificate click here for a Q&A on this subject.
Timing:
Completion of the two degrees separately would require six years, but Penn's MD/MPH can be completed in five years as long as students apply for admission by June 30th at the end of their third year of the MD program and gain acceptance to the joint program. Students are enrolled in the MD program full time for the first three years and in MPH course work full time during year 4 and the fall of year 5. The final semester of the five year program is spent primarily in the MD program. The sample plan of study below is meant to provide details about the timing of MPH course work for those who are already familiar with the Penn Med curriculum. The MPH plan of study will be individualized for each student.
MD/MPH Degree Completion Time: 5 Years (with careful planning)
MD/MPH Sample Study Plans:
The following plans of study are a typical timeline and course sequence for students who have completed PUBH 500 plus an additional PUBH elective prior to year 4. Students interested in the MPH program are encouraged to take PUBH 500 Introduction to Public Health or PUBH 519 Introduction to Global Health in the Fall of their first or second year of medical school. Students will need to take the course with a grade (i.e. not pass/fail) for it to count toward the MD/MPH. Note: The MPH program accepts MOD320 Health Care Systems as 1.0 cu transfer credit toward the MPH. A Bridging the Gaps experience may be accepted as an MPH elective.
In following this template, students will complete most required core MPH courses within the first 2 semesters of year 4. The first Capstone seminar (PUBH 508) is taken in the Spring term to plan the Capstone project. Students may conduct the Capstone project over the summer term and complete the second Capstone seminar with (PUBH 508) in Fall of year 5.
Year |
FALL |
SPRING |
SUMMER |
1 |
MD curriculum (Modules 1, 3, 6) |
MD curriculum (Modules 2, 3,6) MOD320 Health Care Systems** |
MPH Elective (1): Bridging the Gaps*** |
2 |
MD curriculum (Modules 2, 3, 6) |
MD curriculum (Modules 4, 6) |
MD curriculum (Modules 4, 6) |
3 |
MD curriculum (Modules 4, 6) |
MD curriculum (Module 5) |
MD curriculum (Module 5) |
4 |
PUBH501: Introduction to Biostatistics |
PUBH502: Introduction to Principles and Methods of Epidemiology |
PUBH electives may be taken during the summer term |
5 |
PUBH507: Law, Ethics and Policy |
MD curriculum (Mod 5) |
Year |
FALL |
SPRING |
SUMMER |
1 |
MD curriculum (Modules 1, 3, 6) |
MD curriculum (Modules 2, 3,6) MOD320 Health Care Systems** |
PUBH598: International Immersion in Public Health |
2 |
MD curriculum (Modules 2, 3, 6) |
MD curriculum (Modules 4, 6) |
MD curriculum (Modules 4, 6) |
3 |
MD curriculum (Modules 4, 6) |
MD curriculum (Module 5) |
MD curriculum (Module 5) |
4 |
PUBH501: Introduction to Biostatistics |
PUBH502: Introduction to Principles and Methods of Epidemiology |
PUBH525: Developing Public Health Programs with a Human Rights Perspective |
5 |
PUBH507: Law, Ethics and Policy |
MD curriculum (Mod 5) |
Year |
FALL |
SPRING |
SUMMER |
1 |
MD curriculum (Modules 1, 3, 6) |
MD curriculum (Modules 2, 3,6) MOD320 Health Care Systems** |
PUBH533: Exposure and Safety in the Workplace |
2 |
MD curriculum (Modules 2, 3, 6) |
MD curriculum (Modules 4, 6) |
MD curriculum (Modules 4, 6) |
3 |
MD curriculum (Modules 4, 6) |
MD curriculum (Module 5) |
MD curriculum (Module 5) |
4 |
PUBH501: Introduction to Biostatistics |
PUBH502: Introduction to Principles and Methods of Epidemiology |
PUBH522: Critical Appraisal of the Environmental and Occupational Health Literature (0.5 cu) |
5 |
OPIM761: Risk Analysis & Management |
MD curriculum (Mod 5) |
*PUBH 500: Introduction to Public Health may be taken in the Fall of year 1 or year 2. This course may be helpful for those students who are undecided about the MPH or who are confident of their interest and eager to begin the MPH. Students who do not take PUBH 500 prior to year 4 will be required to take this course in the first term of the MPH studies to fulfill the 14 cu’s required for the MPH.
**MOD320 Health Care Systems is counted as 1.0 cu transfer credit applied to the MPH degree in place of PUBH 505.
***The Bridging the Gaps Community Health Internship may qualify as an MPH elective. Medical students should discuss a BTG experience or any elective options with a member of the MD/MPH advisory committee in advance. Students who do not have an MPH approved elective to carry forward into the MPH program in year 4 would enroll in an additional elective during Fall term year 5 to fulfill the 14 cu’s required for the MPH.
2.0 course units of Capstone Seminar are required to fulfill the degree requirements. The Capstone seminars are only offered in Fall and Spring terms.
Earning an MPH following matriculation into medical school fulfills the Scholarly Pursuit requirement for the MD degree.
Financial Information (2009-10)
Tuition policy:
Tuition cost for the combined MD/MPH program is less than the total tuition cost would be if the two degrees were earned separately in stand alone programs over six consecutive years.
Students in the program will be billed at the MD tuition rate for the first three years in the program. In their fourth year, students will be billed for MPH tuition (for Fall, Spring and Summer semesters). The MPH tuition is based on the total number of course units in which a student is enrolled. Year 5 billing will be split between the MPH tuition rate per course unit (cu) in the Fall term and the MD tuition rate in the Spring. This fee schedule has been designed to benefit students who are pursuing the MD/MPH simultaneously. These tuition fee distributions and information about maximum Stafford loan eligibility are outlined in the following table.
Year |
Tuition |
Maximum Stafford Eligibility |
1 |
MD Tuition Fall & Spring |
$40,500 |
2 |
MD Tuition Fall & Spring |
$40,500 |
3 |
MD Tuition Fall & Spring |
$40,500 |
4 |
MPH Tuition Fall, Spring & Summer | $33,000 |
5 |
MPH Tuition Fall |
Fall: $16,500 |
Financial Aid:
As soon as a student is considering the pursuit of an integrated joint degree program, financial aid counseling and planning is strongly advised. Students should contact Jean Fox at the School of Medicine Office of Admissions and Financial Aid. She is available to help explain program costs, the financial aid process, funding options and how to apply for financial aid. When paying medical school tuition and registered as a medical student, an individual can retain his/her School of Medicine Scholarship and has a Stafford eligibility of $40,500. When a student is registered as a full time MPH student, he/she is not eligible for a School of Medicine Scholarship and has a Stafford eligibility of $33,000. In accordance with federal regulations, all sources of aid (loan, scholarships, fellowships,) cannot exceed the student budget.
There are a number of private loan programs which are available for students in meeting program costs if necessary. These funds are credit based and more costly. The SOM Office of Financial Aid lists preferred private loan lenders on the School of Medicine financial aid website. Students who anticipate applying for a private loans are encouraged to contact the Office of Financial Aid to discuss options and determine the best program based on individual circumstances, and prior borrowing.
Costs for each of the programs are updated annually on the financial aid website. Please note that policies concerning curriculum and financial aid are subject to change. Additionally, though variations in the curriculum may be possible, any changes will need prior approval and may have financial implications.
Scholarships:
The Center for Public Health Initiatives has scholarships available on a competitive basis. Contact Jackie McLaughlin (jmclaugh@mail.med.upenn.edu) for more information.
Admissions
The admissions process for the MD/MPH program is competitive and requires admission to both the MD and MPH programs. Typically, students will apply to the MPH program for the MD/MPH after matriculation into the MD program. A Penn medical student may apply during his/her first, second or third year.
There are two steps to applying:
1) Apply to the Master of Public Health Program
The Master of Public Health program information and application can be obtained at http://www.publichealth.med.upenn.edu. Students are encouraged to contact Jackie McLaughlin ( jmclaugh@mail.med.upenn.edu) for more information.
2) Submit Master's Program Registration Form to the Combined Degree Office
In addition to submitting an MPH application, Penn Med students must also submit a Master's Program Registration Form to Amy Nothelfer (nothelfe@mail.med.upenn.edu) in the Combined Degree and Physician Scholar Programs Office (104 Stemmler Hall).
Application Deadline:
- Generalist Track - rolling basis
- Global Health Track - strongly encourage submission by February 1 of first year, due to the required course in the summer between first and second year
- Enviromental Health Track - strongly encourage submission by February 1 of first year , due to the required course in the summer between first and second year
Disclaimer
Please note that policies concerning admissions, curriculum, funding and financial aid are subject to change. Additionally, though variations in the curriculum may be possible, any changes will need prior approval and may have financial implications. This website is meant to provide preliminary general overview information only. Students interested in or enrolled in the program should seek personal advising from relevant faculty and staff.
Contacts
For more information about the MD/MPH program, contact:
Jackie McLaughlin, M.S., R.D.
Associate Director, MPH Program
(215) 746-2043
(215) 573-9025 fax
jmclaugh@mail.med.upenn.edu
Giang Nguyen, M.D., M.P.H.
Chair, MD/MPH Advisory Committee
Assistant Professor , School of Medicine,
Dept of Family Medicine and Community Health
giang.nguyen@uphs.upenn.edu
Amy Nothelfer, LSW
Coordinator for MD-Masters Programs
Combined Degree and Physician Scholar Programs Office
Suite 100 Annex (Room 104) Stemmler Hall
Philadelphia , PA 19104-6087
(215) 746-2359
nothelfe@mail.med.upenn.edu
Helene Weinberg
Registrar
University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine
Suite 100 Stemmler Hall
Philadelphia, PA 19104-6087
(215) 898-4646
hweinber@mail.med.upenn.edu
Jean Fox
Financial Aid Officer
Office of Admissions and Financial Aid
Suite 100 Stemmler Hall
Philadelphia , PA 19104-6056
(215) 898-9118
jmfox@mail.med.upenn.edu